Therapy for Self-Esteem + Worth
If you find yourself stuck in negative thoughts about yourself often, or have noticed difficulties when trying to speak up for yourself, spend time alone, share how you're feeling, go after opportunities that interest you, or when trying to establish boundaries- there's a good chance that your self-worth could use a boost.
​
While this can feel like an overwhelming process, I specialize in helping people -just like you!- reconnect with themselves, create healthier thought patterns, and feel more empowered in relationships.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is literally our opinion of ourselves, which is obviously a really important thing!
​
While some people worry about having "too much" self-esteem or becoming "selfish", having a positive and healthy view of ourselves really just allows us extra capacity to show up in other areas of our lives. Have you ever noticed how exhausting it can be to swirl in negative thoughts about yourself, worry about how others are perceiving you, or to judge yourself constantly? It is a lot, and there are so many wonderful benefits to reducing the amount of time and energy negative self-esteem drains from our brain.
What do we need to heal our relationship with ourselves?
While self-esteem is one of the more discussed concepts in the realm of self-worth, there are actually several layers to building a strong sense of self that can help you navigate all of the ups and downs of life:
How I can help:
Whether you've experienced unhealthy family dynamics, trauma, negative past relationships, or have struggled with self-awareness, self-trust, self-acceptance, or self-love- you are not doomed to feel this way forever. While we often focus on our relationships with others, I've had the privilege of helping many adults heal their relationship with themselves and would argue that it is the most important work we can do! I'd be honored to be your guide.
​
I offer 3 helpful approaches when helping client's address self-esteem and self-worth, including:
Self-Compassion
.png){kind=small}
Self-Compassion (which releases oxytocin) is the opposite of self-criticism (which activates our fight/ flight/ freeze response)
Self-Compassion acknowledges that being a human is inherently hard and involves suffering; it teaches us to interrupt the automatic, judgement towards ourselves and practice kindness instead
​
Through Self-Compassion, we can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as increase stress resilience
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps us identify thought patterns that have been engrained throughout our life as a result of our experiences, interactions, and self-talk
​
CBT allows us to explore how our experiences, interactions, and self-talk have impacted our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world we live in
​
Utilizing CBT, we can identify unhelpful thinking that may be leading us towards a more negative outlook in our lives, such as: always assume the worst case scenario, blaming ourselves, feeling that our thoughts are facts, or minimizing our accomplishments
​
This is really important! The way we speak to ourselves (internally + externally) does more than impact our mood. Our thoughts actually create pathways in our brain, and the ones we use most become the literal path of least resistance. So, if you've spent years experiencing anxious internal dialogue that questions your worth, value, or purpose- it is can feel nearly impossible to think about yourself in a different way and CBT is considered the "gold standard" of treatment
Integrative Somatic Parts Work
Somatic Parts Work acknowledges that our unresolved feelings, trauma, and fears are stored in our body and it is important to include the body in our healing process
​
Somatic Parts Work allows us to make space for + acknowledge the parts of ourselves that feel the need to be perfect, to hide pain, to feel in-control, or to numb/ distract from difficult emotions​
​
Through Somatic Parts Work, we work to develop an embodied sense of Self that can compassionately hold our difficult emotions, fears, vulnerabilities, and wholeness
We will honor the power of your past experiences and pain, acknowledging how they have shaped your self-image. And through this work, we create space for healing and growth.